Brrrrrrrr!
It's that time of year when cold weather is at its peak and a glazing of
snow covers most peoples neck-of-the-woods. One great way to stay warm is
to plan your next Disney vacation and this edition of the Insider will help
you do just that! In this jam-packed edition we take a gander at the
latest Disney deals, review the rowdiest restaurant, get the low-down on a
laid back resort, cover recent dining changes around the parks, re-cap the
Magic Kingdom's new afternoon parade, get the ins and outs on the brand new
Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, take a sneak peak at a soon-to-open
American Idol Experience, and run-down recently released event dates. It's
Insider Time!

<<Disney Deals>>

Solider Salute

As Disney
Parks ask "What Will You Celebrate?" and invite guests to turn their
personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America's
military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day
admission to Disney's theme parks at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney
World Resorts, along with special accommodations discounts.

Disney has extended
the current "Buy Four, Get Three Free" Magic Your Way offer, for guests
vacationing now through
April 4 and April 19 - June 27, 2009. Enjoy 7 nights in a Disney Resort,
plus 7 Day Magic Your Way Base Tickets all for the price of a 4-night
package with 4 day base tickets! Ask for code RWZ. Please note; Dining
Options can be added to the base package for an additional fee. For details
contact INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical Journeys at
1-570-785-3283, or visit their web site and fill out a quote form, but
hurry, you must book by 3/29/09!

The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure
officially debuted at Epcot on January 28, 2009. This new interactive
attraction leads Guests through an exciting adventure by following clues,
completing tasks, and interacting with hidden show features all around one
of the World Showcase pavilions. The interactive attraction is comprised of
7 unique adventures through the pavilions of
Mexico, Norway,
China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom.

Guests start their Adventure by reporting
to one of the recruitment centers (located in Innoventions West, in
Innoventions East, near the Odyssey Bridge and near the International
Gateway Entrance/Exit). Guests can also start their adventure at any of the
field stations located at each country, but to get the full experience it is
recommended to start at one of the recruiting stations at least once. Once
signed-up, Guests will receive a Mission Pass (that looks very similar to a
FastPass) telling Guests a field service location (World Showcase Pavilion)
to report to and a time to report there.

At their designated time and location, Guests should proceed to the
designated countries pavilion and find the Kim Possible noted cart. Once
there Guests will be assigned to an actual Adventure (so if Guests have a
preference they may request one at that time). *Note* The country Guest are
instructed to report to, may not be the country their Adventure is in. Once
assigned, Guests will be given a Kimmunicator device and start their
adventure. Once the adventure is complete, Guests will be direct to a
drop-box for their Kimmunicator. If Guests wish to complete another
Adventure, they may do so by signing up at one of the recruiting or field
stations.

<<Food for Thought with
Jeanne>>

I've had the opportunity to dine several
times at Whispering Canyon Cafe and always look forward to the next chance
to return. I especially love introducing new people to this one of a kind
restaurant.

Whispering Canyon Cafe does have a reputation that precedes and some people
love it, some people hate it, and for some people it doesn't matter one way
or the other.

I personally love the antics, the servers, I've even seen a manager get in
on the fun. And don't forget the "horsey races" for the young and young at
heart. I don't want to spoil it too much for those that have never been but
please, if you do go, be sure and ask for ketchup and a large drink, also.

The food is good, too! I've dined there for breakfast and dinner and both
meals were excellent! They are best know for their "skillets". An all you
can eat meal served family style.

Breakfast consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy,
potato wedges, and Mickey waffles (small ones) priced at $10.99 per Guest
ages 10 and up and $5.89 per Guest ages 3-9. You can have as much or as
little as you want and if you want seconds on one thing but not another,
just let your server know. You can also order ala carte items off both the
adult and children's menus.

Lunch is also served and although I've never dined at Whispering Canyon Cafe
for lunch, I'm sure it's every bit as good and entertaining as breakfast and
dinner.

Be sure to check it out on your next trip to the World, Advanced Dining
Reservations are definitely recommended and Whispering Canyon Cafe is part
of the Disney Dining Plan as well.

<<Changes on Parade>>

The Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
debuted on January 23, 2009 replacing the Disney Dreams Come True Parade as
daily afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom. The parade features a new
original soundtrack and only a few float revisions from its predecessor.

The Walt Disney Mini-Float marquee has
been replaced with a banner marquee that features criss-crossed banners that
read “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade”. The "it all started with a mouse"
float has undergone the most significant changes. The film reels have been
transformed into ribbon spools and the film strips comprising the
Mickey-icon structure has been replaced with colorful “Celebrate today”
banners forming the iconic silhouette. The various statues depicting
Mickey’s incarnations have been removed and over-sized blowout horns and
streamer horns have been added. Minnie Mouse now joins Mickey on this float
and both are in their new “Celebration” attire. The Cinderella Castle float
has also received some significant changes.

The “A Kingdom of Dreams” banner has been
replaced with a “Celebrate Today” banner. The float has also been adorn with
cloud sculptures and Mickey-Mouse balloon statutes. The float now features
Chip, Dale, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy all in their new “Celebration”
attire. The Character troupes in-between the floats have been replaced with
dance troupes. The parade has also added a show stop where the dance troupes
perform a dance number.

<<Of Force and Flowers>>

The Walt Disney World resort has released
dates for two of its annual Spring events for 2009.

Once again,
the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for the
family-friendly fan-fest, scheduled for four consecutive weekends, beginning
May 22 and running through June 14, 2009, at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The
event includes special parades, trivia games, meet-and-greet sessions with
Star Wars legends and characters and special themed activities. The weekend
festivities take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and are included
with regular theme park admission.

An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary
and an environmentally friendly Green Garden will bring fresh springtime
flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March
18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful assortment of flowers, plants and
topiaries, Walt Disney World guests of all ages can explore myriad exhibits
and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun. Weekend Flower Power
concerts will pump up the volume and spread a groovy vibe at America Gardens
Theatre in World Showcase.

<<Coming Attractions with
John>>

Disney's Hollywood Studios is about to
raise the current on its latest attraction--The American Idol Experience.
This all-new show attraction will continue the entertainment legacy of the
Studios theme park by put ting Guests on-stage and in the audience of the #1
hit television show American Idol. John recently attended a preview of this
new show and here are some of the highlights from his review:

The stage is very attractive and mimicked
the real idol stage. I especially liked what appeared to be a high def
Jumbotron display built into the arch behind the performers. This display
enabled in show video and graphics. The warm up announcer came out to
explain the goings on and get the crowd psyched about 10 minutes prior to
show time. Then the lights went down and the "show" began with the
substitute Ryan coming out with the typical idol open. He gave the details
of the show and introduced the judges. A gentlemen made to be a randy clone,
a Paula type clone (both had different names) and a dude named Simon (right)
who was from the UK. Shocker. From there we were introduced to the
contestants - and then the performing began. Up first, a gentleman who
appeared to be legit and had a bunch of family in the audience; Second, a
perky girl who was a "stunt person"; Finally, a worker from Disney who
supposedly came over on their lunch break. The judges liked the guy, and
mostly liked 2 and 3 but threw in some suggestions - and of course, Simon
threw in some zingers. It was then time to vote. They showed reviews of the
performances and you cast your vote on a keypad built into the armrest.
Then, they announced the winner which in this case was the guy #1. From
there - there was a Jordan Sparks video that you were supposed to sing
along with and get up and dance. Very, very hokey at that point. Quite
forced and I don't see many audiences getting into it to the degree I think
they'd like you to. Overall, I think this attraction will be a winner and a
nice addition to a tv/movie theme park. It will be interesting to see how
the auditioning goes and what kind of talent they get when things get
rolling for real.

PetriFries at Disney's Animal Kingdom and
the Frontierland Fries at the Magic Kingdom have been replaced by new snack
locations. TriloBites has opened in the former location of PetriFries in
the Dinoland section of the Animal Kingdom . The new location serves smoked
Turkey legs, soft drinks and bottled water. The Golden Oak Outpost has
opened in the Frontierland section of the Magic Kingdom. The new quick
service location offers Fried Chicken Breast sandwich, Chicken Nuggets, a
Vegetarian Flatbread Wrap, French Fries, Chocolate Chip Cookies and assorted
beverages. With these changes in cuisine, Disney's Animal Kingdom no longer
offers McDonald's branded food items and the only placed left in the Magic
Kingdom serving McDonald’s branded food items is the Village Fry Shoppe in
Fantasyland.

<<Clubbing Around the World
with Mikki>>

Back in 1991 it was called Disney
Vacation Club Resort and it was Disney’s first venture into any kind of
timeshare. In those days Time Shares had a very bad reputation, especially
in Europe where hard sell techniques and bullying conned people into buying
promises that did not fulfill. Disney rewrote the book on how to provide and
sell Time Shares. We toured in early 1992 when the first phase of the resort
had opened.

It wasn’t busy and we went into a little theatre in the old Commodore House
(now building 62) to watch a short film about the Vacation Club. We were the
only ones in there but it didn’t stop us ‘Aahing’ when the film finished
with pixie dust spreading across the ceiling. We then saw a sales guide who
showed us the rooms in an adjoining building, starting with the studio which
looked impressive enough, but the real Wow factor came as you walked into a
one bedroom. I may be biased but the newer resorts one bedrooms just don’t
have the same effect!

Then we were back to Commodore House and left in a small room overlooking
the lake and fountain with all the information to look at, at our leisure.
We decided to take it away with us to think about. We went back twice more
that trip before deciding to buy. Apparently back then the Americans tended
to buy the moment they viewed it but the Europeans were more cautious.
Perhaps that was due to Timeshares reputation in Europe! Each time we
visited we were given ice cream sundaes and treated as though we had joined.
We still have the fun souvenir picture that was taken on our first visit.
Way back then points only cost $51, just a bit different from now.

Now 16 years old Old Key West still has a feeling of peace and tranquility.
It has grown in size and so has the vegetation – lush to begin with it now
feels mature and in some cases maybe a little overgrown. It is also big –
the bus route around the place can take 15 minutes when busy. While no rooms
are that far from a bus stop, they can be a long way from Hospitality House
and there has recently been a new room category added to be close to
Hospitality House. Also because of when the buildings were done the majority
do not have elevators/lifts and the few that do are generally reserved for
guests that need them. It has a very homely feel and it is really nice being
able to park your car outside your own building.
Old Key West is different from the other Disney Vacation Club resorts in two
specific ways. The studios are the only ones with two queen beds and the
room sizes (especially from the one bedroom up) are vastly bigger than the
other resorts. They all have balconies with table and chairs and are a real
delight to stay in. Many of the rooms have a good view of the golf course
the resort is sprawled through. The Kitchen area in the larger rooms is
massive and fully equipped although I suspect most people make more use of
the Fridge than the cooker.

Eating options are limited by some standards. Olivia's table service
restaurant has expanded over the years and serves three meals a day and is
popular with long term owners. The main fast food is Goods to Go which is
small and frankly slow and not to everyone’s taste with conch fritters being
one of the options. In busy months there is Turtle Crawl Shack at one of the
quiet pools. The gurgling suitcase bar is small but friendly and fun.
Downtown Disney has lots more eating options. You can take a boat ride to
Downtown Disney or go there or to the parks by bus. With several quiet
pools, tennis courts, boat rentals and now a slide at the main pool this is
a great resort for all ages.

This edition over flowing with info has come to and end. With new
attractions like the American Idol Experience and the Kim Possible World
Showcase Adventure; annual events like the Flower and Garden Festival and
Star Wars weekends; new snack locations like TriloBites and the Golden Oak
Outpost; and new entertainment like the Celebrate A Dream Come True parade,
there's lots of new sights to see around the Walt Disney World resort this
Spring! We'll be back in a little while more tips and info to help you plan
a great Spring Disney trip. See ya real soon

<< Thank You To Our
Sponsors! >>

The INTERCOT Insider and INTERCOT.com
are supported by the following sponsors who in turn, help us bring the Magic
to you!

All Star
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The
Official Ticket CenterWebsite:
Buy & Price Tickets Now! The Official Ticket Center
is Walt Disney World’s, Universal Studios and Sea World’s #1 guest service
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only, at a discount price.

Magical
JourneysWebsite:
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INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency. An unconventional Travel Agency for the
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The spectacular Mandara Spa creates an unforgettable guest experience within
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Quicksilver Tours & TransportationWebsite:
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Our drivers are the first personal contact you have when you arrive in
Orlando. No other transportation company goes to the lengths we do to
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Radisson
Resort Orlando - Celebration
Website:
Resort
Details HereConveniently
located just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World with free shuttle service.
roomy guest accommodations and a Starbucks and Pizza Hut right on property!

The Walt
Disney World Swan and Dolphin ResortWebsite:
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In the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney
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Timeshare StoreWebsite:
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This Disney Vacation Club resale site offers the largest selection of DVC
Resale's anywhere! They are the number one Disney Vacation Club Reseller in
the world. See how easy and affordable it is to purchase your very own piece
of the "MAGIC".